Mentally ill Filipino shot dead by San Diego police, family wants full investigation

San Diego police shot a mentally ill Filipino who threw a brick at her 70-year-old aunt last August. (Image from INQUIRER.net USA)

San Diego police shot a mentally ill Filipino man who threw a brick at her aunt in the El Cerrito area. The Filipino’s family demand a full investigation on why the police resorted to shooting instead of less-lethal force to stop him.

The Filipino was identified as Dennis Carolino, 53 years old, and a person with mental disability.

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According to reports, the police officers received a call from a 70-year-old woman in the El Cerrito area. The elderly complained Carolino, who lived with her, threw a brick at her.

When the San Diego police arrived at the scene, they learned that Filipino Carolino struck her aunt in the chest with a brick. He also reportedly threw a brick at the elderly’s head.

Witnesses said Carolino advanced on the police officers while swinging a shovel when they tried to arrest him at the home’s backyard. The police ordered Carolino to drop his weapon, but Carolino allegedly refused to do so.

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“He continued quickly advancing on the officers while swinging the shovel, prompting one officer to fire his Taser, while the second officer fired his service weapon,” San Diego police said in a statement.

The police shot Carolino at least once before they called for paramedics and administered first aid. However, Carolino died despite San Diego Fire-Rescue and police officers’ efforts to save him.